UNSW FC Storm Into Grand Final With Victory Over APIA

UNSW FC booked their spot in next Sunday’s Grand Final with a 3-1 victory over APIA Leichhardt on Saturday evening at The Village Green.

Demi Koulizakis put the home side in front midway through the first half before adding her second shortly after the break.

Charlotte Lancaster pulled a goal back for APIA with 30 minutes remaining, but Alexia Karrys-Stahl struck late to secure the victory and give UNSW the opportunity to claim their second piece of silverware in 2026.

APIA produced the first attempt of the contest, with Ash Letta, who had already scored in each of their previous Championship Series appearances, trying her luck from distance.

The effort was comfortably saved by UNSW goalkeeper Erin Nayler, but it served as an early warning for the home side.

UNSW’s first chance almost resulted in an own goal, with an Alexia Karrys-Stahl free-kick nearly being turned into the back of the net by Jordan Jasnos.

From the resulting corner and sustained pressure, the home side eventually took the lead.

APIA failed to clear their lines, with the ball falling to the edge of the area.

Abbey Lemon struck the initial effort, with Koulizakis reacting quickest inside the box to backheel the ball into the bottom corner and give UNSW a 1-0 lead.

The visitors attempted to respond immediately, only for the flag to deny Letta and APIA.

With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, APIA threatened again, with Lancaster letting fly with her left foot and seeing her effort sail just over the crossbar.

As half-time approached, Talia Kapetanellis was next to test Nayler, but the experienced goalkeeper once again stood tall to deny the visitors.

The final opportunity of the opening half fell to UNSW when Lemon burst down the left and delivered a dangerous cross, with Jacinta Gulabovski getting down well to make the save.

Minutes after the restart, APIA were almost punished for a slow start to the second half.

Lovely build-up play and a splitting ball through the middle released Karrys-Stahl, who burst through and saw her goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Tash Prior with an excellent challenge.

From the resulting corner, however, UNSW doubled their advantage.

Another finely delivered corner from Lexie Moreno found Koulizakis inside the box, with the midfielder reacting quickest to fire home her second of the evening.

APIA refused to surrender and, with half an hour remaining, halved the deficit to give themselves a genuine chance of fighting back.

Lancaster picked up the ball inside the UNSW half before unleashing a powerful strike from distance.

Nayler had no chance of keeping out the swerving effort as it slammed into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

With APIA pushing for an equaliser, they left themselves exposed at the back.

UNSW eventually put the game beyond doubt with just minutes of the 90 remaining.

Substitute Jen Kokoris won possession inside the APIA half, with Karrys-Stahl quickly seizing on the loose ball before letting fly.

Her effort beat Gulabovski and went in off the underside of the crossbar to make it 3-1 and send the home side into celebration.

APIA were unable to create another clear opportunity in the closing stages as UNSW held on to secure their place in next Sunday’s Grand Final.

For Zoran Naumovski, the dream of being crowned Champion remains alive, with UNSW now just one victory away from lifting the Championship.

Match Stats

UNSW FC 3 (Koulizakis 19’, 48’, Karrys-Stahl 86’)
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Lancaster 59’)

Saturday, 5 September 2026
The Village Green

UNSW FC: 1. Nayler, 4. Karrys-Stahl (23. Ciappara), 5. Puxty, 6. Yamahata, 7. Channing, 8. Koulizakis, 9. Moreno (21. Kokoris), 10. Smith (14. Burton), 11. Collins (13. Singh), 15. Lemon (29. Naccari), 17. Hristodoulou.

Substitutes not used: 24. Hammond, 99. Vais.
Yellow Cards: Moreno
Red Cards: Nil

APIA Leichhardt: 31. Gulabovski, 2. Cicco, 3. Lancaster, 4. Prior (16. Fragale), 5. Lobo, 6. Walker, 7. Kapetanellis, 10. Phonsongkham (8. Beaufils), 11. Letta, 13. Jasnos, 38. Rose.

Substitutes not used: 14. Golding, 19. Lane, 24. Kiceec, 40. Cuthill.
Yellow Cards: Cicco, Lancaster, Walker, Jasnos
Red Cards: Nil

By Nikola Pozder